Pregnant and Still Breastfeeding My 11 Month Old???

I breastfed my daughter until she was 2 years old - I was 5 mos pregnant when she weaned. My OBGYN was fine with it.

Congrats!
M.

Hi J.,
I became pregnant with my 2nd child when my son was 6 months old. I continued to breastfeed until he was about 9 months. I think my milk supply decreased and he just felt the time to stop on his own. Both of my children are healthy, they are now 11 and almost 10. Good luck!

Congrats..
I called my doctor about the same thing this week,I am 5 weeks pregnant with a 9 month old. He told me it is ok to breastfeed...

Congratulations!! Your son has gotten a good start from you breastfeeding him for 11 months. If it were me, I'd go ahead and wean him. The first trimester takes a lot out of you, and your son is well on his way. My first child weaned herself at 10 months, and my second I weaned at 12 months. I kept giving them formula for another year because neither of them did well with cow's milk.

I nursed my daughter until I was 5 months pregnant with my son - as long as it is a normal pregnancy it should be fine to continue nursing.

He'll probably wean faster because the hormones from your pregnancy will change how your milk tastes. My son weaned shortly after I got pregnant (I was a little glad because my nipples were so sore when he would nurse thanks to those hormones!). It's perfectly safe to continue to nurse. Congrats!

J.,

I got pregnant when my older son was about 18 months and still breastfeeding. I have a history of both miscarriages and preterm labor and my OB wasn't the slightest bit concerned about my nursing other than to tell me to make sure I was eating a really good diet and plenty of calories and to get enough rest. There is absolutely no reason to speed weaning unless you want to.

:-)T.

No, don't stop. Great job breastfeeding and KEEP IT UP. It is THE BEST thing you can do for your son. Read the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Le Leche League International or go to their website. They have LOADS of info on this and MANY other topics. Extended breastfeeding offers SOOOO many benefits, don't stop at a year if you can keep going.

My understanding is it is ok to continue. It is just going to make you really tired.

I asked my Lactation consultant once about this. She said that you are still able to be pregnant and breastfeed at the same time. The hormones and everything just work out. Your milk supply may decrease just a little but still safe and healthy for both babies. I would wait until 1 year to wean so you can switch straigt to milk and not have to mess with formula. Good luck!

I'm pretty sure that your doctor will tell you to stop breast feeding right away. If memory serves me correctly, it may cause contractions.

I was pregnant for 3 months with my second and nursed and it was very hard on me. Both physically and emotionally. I know that it is a hard decision but I would go for weaning soon. Ofcourse you should always follow your health care providers advice.

I nursed my first son throughout my pregnancy with my second without any complications. I was seeing a midwife as I was planning a home birth and also still going to Kaiser. I was floored when two of the doctors told me I needed to wean by the time I reached 21 weeks of pregnancy. I knew this was false information as I had done the research, as well as speaking to La Leche League leaders. I asked one of the doctors why they pushed this magic number of 21 weeks and where was their research on this. She looked at me and said, "I have no idea!"

I knew I had wanted to nurse my son for a minimum of 2 years, since that is what the World Health Organization recommends for maximum benefit. He would be 2 when I delivered my second and I was not about to wean before then.

Nursing while pregnant is not only safe, it is wonderful to offer this gift to your nursling. He was able to benefit from Mommys milk and we were both able to continue our bonding. There is a point when the milk supply gets very low, and he would just not nurse as frequently. We were both fine with it.
I was able to tandem nurse when my second was born as well.

Do what feels right for you and your son and do not worry whether it is safe. The research says it is, so it is your decision to decide to continue!

We have a great Lactation Educator at our store (Belly Sprout; www.bellysprout.com), Kelly Miller, who would be more than happy to guide you. She is a La Leche League leader as well and full of knowledge!

Good luck!

Yes, definitely continue breastfeeding! There's no need to wean him quicker just because you're pregnant. Just take care of yourself, eat well, drink lots of water, rest, and continue the breastfeeding relationship with this baby as long as you both desire. Check out the book "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" for more on this topic and other breastfeeding questions.
I, personally, nursed my son until I was 4 months pregnant. My milk supply continually diminished, to the point where he chose to wean. Many resources say you shouldn't continue nursing while pregnant, but it poses no risk for most women. The reason it's suggested is nursing stimulates the uterus (think post birth, it's good to nurse to help contract/shrink the uterus), which could supposedly lead to miscarriage for those at risk. If you think you're at risk for miscarriage, that's something to look into. Otherwise, don't stress and let this wonderful nursing experience take its course!
All my best, N.

I have a friend that breast fed her son up until her daughter was born and then she had plenty of milk for his bottle and nursing her daughter plus plenty of extra in the freezer. But, she was eating very nutritious chinese food herbs. She didn't have that much milk for him until she started eating them. So, if your diet is lacking, you want to make sure you are getting enough nutrition for the baby you are carrying. Most people are not getting enough nutrition for one person on the standard american diet.

God Bless!

J.

From experience, my first daughter daughter weaned herself because the milk changed and she didn't like it. I also didn't know it was possible to continue breastfeeding, so I encouraged her weaning. My second daughter was an avid breastfeeder. I stepped up my protein and vitamins to compensate (though I really didn't need to consume as much protein as I did!). She continued to nurse after her sister was born as well, which had its own challenges. She even gained weight from the new, fattier milk, which has actually followed her through life. The choice is individual. You may have an easier time if he is weaned several months before the baby so he doesn't feel the baby is replacing him! He won't have those recent feelings if he has been weaned prior. After the baby, it may be harder!

Good luck!
Granny Pants
http://GrannyPantsSpeaks.wordpress.com

Hi J.

I got pregnant w/ my 2nd child when my 1st was 11 months old. I continued to nurse him until he was 14 months old through my 1st trimester w/ my daughter. I think it is fine to continue nursing while pregnant- just make sure to consume enough calories and get enough rest!

A friend, who is a mid-wife, wanted to continue nursing throughout her entire pregnancy w/ a 2nd child and even tandum nurse after the 2nd child's birth- so if she thinks it's ok than I'm sure it is!

The reason I stopped at 14 months was because my son lost interest in nursing. So I figured ok great- this gives me a break til the next one :~)

You don't need to wean just because you are pregnant. I nursed my first son my entire pregnancy with my second, although he chose to cut back as he didn't like the milk change and he was almost 3 anyway. I think my second has weaned and I'm pregnant with my third right now. But if he hasn't he can still nurse. I also nursed my first after my second was born for a couple months before he totally weaned. My midwife said there was nothing wrong with it. Unless you have unusual health complications there is no reason to wean.
I know it helped my first to accept my second more because I didn't take away his comfort and security of nursing. It was his choice alone to cut back like he did. Unless it is something that is bothering you, if your son enjoys it I recommend not forcing the issue.
Best of luck!

No matter what your decision, PLEASE make sure that you have enough nutrition. Don't worry about being thin! I gave myself OSTEOPENIA when I breast fed while trying to slim down. You have the double barrel of a pregnancy while breast feeding. Protect your body. EAT. Those babies will get what they need at the expense of you. Take care of yourself!

there is absolutely nothing wrong with nursing while pregnant. i knew a bunch of women who did that and even continued to nurse their older kids while nursing the baby as well!

i weaned my older kids at about 2 yrs each and i plan on nursing my youngest (9months) for as long as my body can handle it!
most important thing in any case is being healthy. eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies and whole grains!

You can absolutely breastfeed during pregnancy. Read through Mothering Your Nursing Toddler and Adventures in Tandem Nursing for more support, if you're interested.

You should be fine as long as your 11 month old is getting enough milk when you breastfeed. I had to supplement with my daughter because I was pregant with my son only because I wasn't producing enough milk.

Since your starting to wean anyway I don't think you'll have a problem.

Congrats on your newest addition.

Fine as long as you drink LOTS of fluids. Don't hurry one child becuase you're pregnant, my cousin nursed all three of her kids while being pregnant and they all turned out great. I did too, but lost the baby for other reasons. I just finally weaned my 16.5 month old (started weaning around 11 months), it's a slow process, I just started skipping day feedings, then either night or mornings. We were down to mornings, now we just read instead....this week! Take your time but again, you need fluid for you, your unborn, AND your nursing child, drink lots of water!!!!!!!!

I nursed my son until I was 8 months pregnant with DS2. My lactation consultant assured me that it was perfectly okay to do so, as long as I continued to get good nutrition.

Don't worry about weaning your little one. Getting pregnant changes the flavor of the milk. Mine weaned himself because he didn't like the taste.

HaHa! My older sister thought she couldn't get pregnant while nursing her older son. To her shock and amazement she was already 5 months along with her second baby before she found out about him. Both her older son and her new baby (now 13 and 12 years old) had no weight issues and her health was just fine the whole time. I would say allow your baby to wean himself. Chances are he is old enough to begin doing that on his own anyhow :) Congratulations!

~V

J.,

I have a 13 month old daughter who breastfed until 1 year. When my daughter was around 7-8 months I got pregnant again. I went to my first prenatal visit and asked my doctor if he had any problems with me continuing to breastfeed. He said no. As a surprise to me she weaned all by herself at 1 year old because I was almost 5 months pregnant and had lost my milk completely! I even tried to pump more to bring my milk back up until I called the La Leche league and found out it was hormonal and there was absolutely nothing I could do. (This doesn't happen to everone, but it is quite common) I started losing my milk around the fourth month of pregnancy but I didn't clue in and give her any formula to supplement. As a result she seemed a little hungrier and got a little skinnier.

Personally I think your son may wean himself in time even if you don't get him weaned by that magical 1 year point, however they do say boys have a more difficult time with weaning (wivestale?) The only concern people have is of miscarriage. From what I have read, miscarriage only seems to continue at the same rate it always has, so that breastfeeding seems to have no impact on that. Also, articles I read pointed out that the body puts your resources toward your pregnancy first, then breastmilk, then you. So if you are taking prenatal vitamins and eating a health diet, it should be fine. I have never had a miscarriage, so for me this issue did not seem applicable to my continuing breastfeeding. I hope that helps you a bit. Don't worry too much because you only have a month left of nursing.

C.

As long as you are sure to take in enough nutrients and fluids, breastfeeding while pregnant is just fine. There is no need to wean your son before he is ready just because you are pregnant. :0)

Most likely your milk will start to taste funny to your baby as your body starts making colostrum for your new baby. That's what happened to me. So my first born weaned herself.

Good luck with two little ones so close in age!

It's known as tandem nursing, your body is built for it! Do what you are comfortable with, take in lots of nutritional whole foods & drink water!

My son was 6 months pregnant when I became pregnant with my second. My OBGYN and my son's pediatrian told me that they strongly recommended that I start weaning my son since breastfeeding causes the uterous to contraction. I heeded their advice since I had complications getting pregnant the first time (low progesterone levels and slight case of endometriosis) and I didn't want a miscarriage. I think in special situations it is wise. I know many women who continued to breastfed while pregant and it was wonderful and they had no problem. If you are healthy and you have no medical issues or issues with your reproductive organs, you should breastfeed for as long as possible.